Time-scale of POC cycle in the Japan Sea

Otosaka, Shigeyoshi  ; Tanaka, Takayuki; Togawa, Orihiko ; Amano, Hikaru; Minakawa, Masayuki*; Khim, B.-K.*; Noriki, Shinichiro*

A time-scale of particulate organic carbon (POC) in the Japan Sea, a marginal sea of the North Pacific, was quantified from radiocarbon (C-14) and stable carbon (C-13) measurements. Delta C-14 in POC decreased with depth, and the value was higher in the order of sinking POC, suspended POC and seabed sediment. delta C-13 values in suspended POC were higher than those in sinking POC obtained from the similar depth. From the radiocarbon signatures and elemental compositions of sinking POC, it was considered that Delta C-14 in sinking POC was determined by a mixing ratio of terrestrial and surface-produced POC. In addition, the difference of Delta C-14 and delta C-13 between the terrestrial and suspended POC was considered to indicate migration process of POC in the water column. From the difference of the C-14 age between terrestrial and suspended POC, it was estimated that an actual age of suspended POC at 3 km depth in the Japan Sea was about 300 years.